1978 KZ1000 A, Mild Mods

peter1958 wrote: Looks real nice. Should have kept that pipe :laugh:

:laugh: :laugh: Yeah, I and I should have kept it before that! :lol:

It was kind of like I pawned it.

spdygon wrote: 79mk2
You have a pic of the kerker race pipe?

This is a shot mounted on the bike before I lost my mind and took it all apart. Never got to ride with it on.....

Found another shot with the bike together...this shows the race bend a little better

I see ...header is straight under motor. Does not have the curve to clear the oil filter.
I have one just like it but how would you know it's a Kerker? Other look the same.

spdygon wrote: I see ...header is straight under motor. Does not have the curve to clear the oil filter.
I have one just like it but how would you know it's a Kerker? Other look the same.

I bought it NOS. Came with all the paperwork, packaging, etc... They are KR series....haven't made them in many years. My brother bought the black version new...same pipe.

The pipe is designed for maximum cornering clearance so it goes straight down the middle. It was a road race pipe back in the day. You used to have a choice of styles back then.

When I had it I sat it next to my ELR and it was the same pipe except chrome.

peter1958 wrote: When I had it I sat it next to my ELR and it was the same pipe except chrome.

Yes, same design! I always loved that pipe on my brothers KZ1000 and had looked for one for years. They show up few and far between. Most people today don't even know about them. It's a bit of a pain changing the oil and filter but I still love having it. Usually you can just remove the megaphone and loosen the front flanges. It will drop the pipe enough to change the filter. Haven't tried it with this pipe but it worked on my brothers. The built in exhaust flanges are great too....no split collars to mess with! That feature was unique to the race version.

Also, the name plate is unique ...says "Racing System" on the badge. I don't think other Kerker pipes say that...

That racing pipe was already a major pita! For the record, loosening it doesn't work for oil filter access...it will have to be removed for filter changes.

So, I've never had this happen but the oil filter cover o-ring "blew out" and leaked about 3 qts of brand new oil all over! I had changed the oil and filter (using new o-rings that came with a filter), installed the header and started the engine. I let it warm up and found a slight leak at one of the oil cooler fittings and one of the cam end plugs. After about a week, I repaired the leaks and started the engine again. This time I heard a nasty sound and found oil all over the lift. I'm thinking the oil pressure might have been extra high because the temp was very cold (around 20 F) but it was an accident waiting to happen. I pulled the exhaust and oil filter and got everything cleaned up. I bought new filter cover o-rings from Z1E and they are much thicker than the one that failed. I don't know if Z1E's are a little thicker or if the oil filter ones are smaller, but I'd like to order one from Kaw for comparison.

Still have a couple of details to finish up but I'm almost done with it:

Looking good!

79MKII wrote: New front wheel:

where did you get that awesome new wheel from?

Wow. bike looks awesome. love the black and gold.